Back pain - Causes and Symptoms

Definition

Back pain is a painful symptom related to the back of the chest, in the central part of the back or between the shoulder blades.

This manifestation is less frequent than cervicalgia and lumbago, however it can be equally debilitating for those who suffer from it.

Acute back pain

Acute back pain manifests or accentuates in certain positions, while it tends to diminish with rest or mobilization. Usually, this symptom is due to incorrect postural attitudes, disc lesions or alterations of the intervertebral joints.

An acute episode of back pain can also be the reflex expression of a pathology that arises in other districts, as in the case of pleurisy or pneumothorax (in this context, other symptoms are generally found, such as fever and dyspnea). When associated with painful skin manifestations, on the other hand, back pain may depend on a shingles infection.

Chronic back pain

In most cases, chronic pain is caused by prolonged and habitual maintenance of incorrect postures (for example, for professional reasons: drivers, tailors, etc.), arthrosis of the dorsal column, scoliosis and osteoporosis.

This manifestation may also depend on the accentuation of the dorsal kyphosis (curved back), which may occur during the growth period or following a postural alteration.

In adolescents (12-18 years), pain may be an expression of dorsal osteochondrosis (Scheuermann's disease).